Top Retailers

Focus on N.Y. market helps boost Ahold USA Q1 sales by 4%
ZAANDAM, The Netherlands - Ahold USA first quarter sales were up 4% to $8.2 billion. Excluding gas, sales increased 4.1% at constant exchange rates. The addition of 25 A&P stores in the New York Metro market in the fourth quarter of 2015 was the main contributor to the overall sales growth and resulted in an overall market share improvement in both dollars and volume, Ahold reported.
Navy veteran assumes chief medical officer role at Little Clinic
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Little Clinic last week named Marc Watkins chief medical officer. Watkins formerly served as VP and medical director for the company.

In his new role, Watkins will oversee the hundreds of board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants who staff the company’s nearly 200 locations, as well as provide strategic guidance on the continued growth of The Little Clinic within the retail healthcare sector.

Sales down as focus shifts to weight management

It’s been a little more than a year since GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare announced the return of Alli (orlistat 60 mg capsules) to most stores in the United States and Puerto Rico. Today, the over-the-counter diet aid has reclaimed much of its lost dollar base and its No. 2 spot on the list of best-selling diet aids across total U.S. multi-outlets with $30.8 million in sales for the 52 weeks ended April 17.
CVS Pharmacy becomes exclusive drug store for ADA diabetes initiative

WOONSOCKET, R.I. - The American Diabetes Association on Tuesday named CVS Pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health, the exclusive drug store for "Partner in Healthy Living," a new initiative with the nation's leading voluntary health organization committed to advancing the research, prevention, care and treatment of diabetes.

Both organizations will be focused on raising awareness and funding to help "Stop Diabetes."
A homemade beer system is coming to retailers

AIRPORT CITY, Israel -- The leading global manufacturer and distributor of sparkling water makers has unveiled a new home beer system.

SodaStream's new Beer Bar system allows consumers to make quality home-crafted beer using sparkling water and a unique beer concentrate brewed to perfection.
Rite Aid Foundation commits $6 million to Folds of Honor

CAMP HILL, Pa. - Over Memorial Day weekend, the Rite Aid Foundation KidCent's program announced a three-year, $6 million commitment to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization based in Owasso, Okla., dedicated to providing educational scholarships to children of fallen or disabled service members.
Former CMS administrator and FDA head joins American Well board

BOSTON - American Well, a national telehealth technology and services company, and creator of Amwell, the most-downloaded app for video doctor visits, on Tuesday announced that Mark McClellan, director of the Health Policy Center at Duke University, former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has joined its advisory board.

McClellan will serve as vice chairman of the board, the company noted.
Rhinomed's new snore-relief product Mute debuts in Walgreens, Duane Reade

MELBOURNE, Australia - Rhinomed on Tuesday announced the U.S. debut of its Mute snoring and sleep technology in select Walgreens and Duane Reade stores across the U.S.

Made from ultra-soft medical grade polymers, Mute is a new over-the-counter product developed by a team of specialists to alleviate the severity and incidence of snoring. Clinically proven to increase nasal air-flow during sleep by an average of 38% when compared to nasal strips, the discreet dilator fits into the nose and opens the airway.
Fred’s posts 8% total sales lift in Q1, 1% comps increase

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s on Thursday reported its earnings for the first quarter ended April 30, posting an 8% increase in total sales and a net income of $1.3 million. The company saw comparable store sales increase 1% for the first quarter, which is slightly better than the 0.8% increase in comps it posted in Q1 2015.
Comps steady in Costco’s Q3

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco on Thursday reported the results of its third quarter and the year-to-date sales, bringing in $26.15 billion in net sales during the quarter and $80.34 billion in sales so far this year.

The company’s U.S. comparable store sales for the quarter saw a 0% increase and a 2% increase for the first 36 weeks of the year. Without the effects of gas price deflation and foreign exchange, quarterly comps were at 3% and YTD comps were at 4%.